Apparatus for handling concrete and the like



Dec.. 7, 1937. c. E/LITTLE.. '2,101,031S

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONCRETE AND THE LI-KE Filed Aug. 28, 195:5 v 3 sheets-snee; 1

Dec. 7, 1937.

C. E. LITTLE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONCRETE vAND THE LIKE 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1933 3 Sheets-'Sheet Dec- 7, 1937-- c. E. 1 1TTLE APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONCRETE AND THE LIKE Fied Aug. 2e, 195s..

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Patented Dec. 7, 1937 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONCRETE AND THE LIKE Charles E. Little, Los Angeles, Calif. Application August 28, 1933, Serial No. 687,105

14 Claims.

involved the vibration of the material already poured in the mold or form and do not contem plate the vibration of the material being acted n or engaged by the strike off edge of an ad-V vancing hopper or forming templet. Further, many of the compacting devices that have been introduced operate to impart a partially effective jarring or vibratory action to spaced limited zones 20 or portions of the poured material and therefore do not cause a uniform intimate cohesion or compacting of the entire body of material.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method of handling concrete, and other 25 .-granular materials, that contemplates the introduction of material to a4 mold or form and the continuous vibration of the mass of material dowing or ,moving to the form and the adjacent portion of the mass within the mold or form 30 being acted upon by the strike off edge of the the use of a concrete of low water content and of a low sand content in the production of a product of high character and quality.

It is another object of the invention to provide` a method for handling concrete, and the like,

that includes the pouring or moving of the con- 50 crete into a form and the compacting or the flowing of inwardly moving concrete by a particularly effective vibratory action that results in the concrete being substantially rigid, immobile, or non-owing, immediately'upon its introduction to the mold or form.

Vbodiment ofthe invention for carrying out the It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus for handling concrete, and other grany Aular materials, that includes means operable to impart a peculiar and particularly effective vibratory motion to the concrete, or other mate-` 5 rial being handled, to bring about the compactjing and intimate cohesion of its component constituents.v

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus for handling concrete, and other granular materials, that includes means for introducing the material to a mold or form and means forv continuously imparting an effective compacting action to the material entering and about to enter the form,` as well as to a substantial y portion of the adjacent material in the form.` In practice the apparatus provided by the present invention operates to 'continuously vibrate the material about to enter the. form and they adjacent material recently introduced into the form as a single mass or body to effect its complete consolidation or compacting as the introduction of the material into the form progresses.

It is another object of the invention to provide asimple, inexpensive material handling apparatus that may be advanced along a form as it introduces the material into the form and that includes a particularly eicent compactingV means continuously acting on the inwardly moving body of material and the adjacent co-extensive portion of the material that has reached the form to spread the material ,throughout the width or extent of the form, to -cause the intimate cohesion or compacting of the entire body of material, and to give the poured body of material a smooth, uniform and regular surface.`

It is a further object of the invention to provide a concrete-handling apparatus of the character mentioned that may be embodied in a simple, inexpensive form or structure. 40

Other objects and features of the invention will be best and fully understood from the following detailed description of typical manners of carrying out the invention and typical forms. and applications of the invention, throughout-1*5 which description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one typical e method of the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged 50 vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 2-2 on Fig. 1., Fig. 3 is an enlargedt transverse detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3 3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is.a. fragu.

mentary vertical detailed sectionalv View of a form of apparatus including two vibrating elements. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of another form of` apparatus of the inventionfor carrying out the method. Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical detailed sectional view vtaken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view of apparatus in which the vibrating element is below the hopper. Figure 8 is a. vertical sectional view of Figure 7.

The method and apparatus of the present vinvention is adapted to be lemployed in the handling of material of various characters and in the formation or production of various structures. The invention is particularly adapted to be carried out in the handling of concrete and like granular materials and I will describe the invention in connection with the handling of such material, it I being understood that reference to this application or use of the invention is not to be construed as a limitation or restriction of its scope.

'I'he method of the present invention broadly considered contemplates or includes the moving or introducing of concrete or other material into a matrix, mold, or form, and the continuous peculiar vibration of the moving mass and the adjacent coextensive portion of the mass in the form or mold being surfaced or engaged by the strike oil' edge of the advancing hopper or forming templet. To facilitate a clearer understanding of the method, I will rst describe several typical forms of apparatus provided by the invention adapted to be employed in carrying out the method and I will follow the description of the apparatus with a more detailed description or disclosure of the method provided bythe invention.

The apparatus of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive of th'e drawings is useful in the`pouring and compacting of concrete in the making of roads, and the like, and includes, generally, a chassis or mobile body I0, a hopper I I on the body for passing or introducing material into a form F, means I2 for acting v upon or vibrating the material moving into the form F and the adjacent material in the form to compact it or bring about the intimate cohesion of its component constituents, and power means I3 for operating the means I2.

'I'he chassis or mobile body I0 may vary considerably in construction and proportions, etc., and thepresent invention is not primarily concerned with the specific details of its construction. In the simple form of apparatus illustrated in the drawings the body I includes spaced longitudinal frame members I 4 and transverse frame members I5 connecting the members I 4. The body IIJ may be suitably braced or reinforced as found necessary. Longitudinally spaced wheels I6 are provided on the longitudinal frame members I4. The axles I1 of the wheels I6 may be carried by bearings I8 attached to the frame members I 4. The wheels I6 are provided to operate on the side forms or header boards 'I9 of the form F. The wheels I6 are preferably provided with peripheral flanges 20 to prevent displacement of the body I0 from the form F.

The hopper I I is mounted on or carried by the mobile body I0 and is operable to 'pass or introduce the material or concrete into the form F.

lThe hopper II is preferably proportioned and positioned to introduce the material v,throughout the width of the form F, that is, from one side of the form to the other. In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the hopper I l is an open-topped structure having downwardly and inwardly convergent sides 2I and substantially vertical closed ends 22. The ends 22 of the hopper pass downwardly at the innersides of the body frame members I4 to project downwardly from the lower side of the body. The lower end of the hopper II may slidably engage the upper sides of the form. In accordance with the invention, the restricted or reduced lower end of the hopper II is open to discharge into the form F. 'I'he opening 23 inthe lower end of the hopper II is preferably of suiiicient capacity to discharge or pass a substantial volume of material. The lower edge of the rear side 2I of the hopper II relative to the direction of advancement of the apparatus constitutes a strike oil. edge. 25 for striking off the concrete. It will be understood how the lower portion of the rear side 2| of the hopper I I operates as a forming templet for striking off or shaping the surface of the concrete.

The invention provides a finishing templet 26 to trail or follovsr the strike oif edge 25 of the hopper II in its movement along the form F to provide for the desired regular surface on the road or strip and to prevent the vibration of the adjacent zone or portion of concrete from causing the concrete to surge or bulge above the upper edge of the form.F. In the particular apparatus illustrated the finishing templet 26 is in the nature of a horizontally disposed plate arranged immediately adjacent the lower end of the rear side 2l of the hopper. The lower surface of the finishing templet 26 is operable to engage the upper surface of the poured strip of concrete to prevent the concrete from rising above the upper surface of the form.

The means I2 is provided to-continuously vibrate the material or concrete to be acted upon or Within the zone of action of the strike-off edge 25,

and in accordance with the form of the invention being described, is operable to continuously vibrate the material or concrete within the lower portion ofthe hopper II as well as the zone or portion of concrete in the form F immediately below the hopper which is being acted upon or that is about to be acted upon by the strike-olf edge 25. The means I2 operates to impart a peculiar vibratory motion to the material or concrete in the lower portion of the hopper II and the concrete in the form F immediately below the hopper to bring about its universal compacting, or the universal intimate cohesion of its component constituents. In the typical application or form of the invention being described the means I2 includes a vibratory element 21 extending through the hopper,` II to intimately or directly act onthe inwardly moving concrete at or within the zone of operation of the strike oi edge 25 of the hopper I I. While Ihave illustrated the apparatus as including only a single vibratory element 21, it is to be understood that the apparatus may include two or more of such elements as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The vibrating element 21 is preferably in the form of an elongate tube that is imperforate and closed and sealed against the entrance of the concrete or material being handled, it being understood that the element 21 may be of any practical edge of the hopper. The opposite end portions of the vibrating tube or element 21 extend through openings 28 in the opposite ends 22 of the hopper. The openings 28 are suniciently large to allow for the desired or necessary vibratory motion of the element 21. If desired or found practical,.means may be provided to prevent the leakage of material or concrete through the openings 28; however, in the particular case illustrated in the drawings, the openings 28 are not sealed and troughs 29 are provided to catch or receive any material that may leak through the openings.

The element 21 is exibly or resiliently supported so asto be free to vibrate. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention, the element 21 may be resiliently mounted 'or supported for universal lateral -movement or vibration in any practical manner. In the apparatus being described, the opposite end portions of the element 21 are supported by springs 30. 'I'here may be three spaced springs connected with each end of the element 21. The springs 30 may be connected with theside members I4 of the frame or body by suitable brackets 3| which support the element from the body. The springs 39 carry.

the element 21 for free vibration in a manner so that-no undesirable vibratory movement is transmitted from the element 21 to the frame or body I0.

The invention provides effective means for actuatlng or vibrating the element 21. A rotatable shaft 32 extends longitudinally through the element 21 and is rotatably supported by suitable bearings 33 in the end portions of the element 21. The shaft 32 is preferably concentrically disposed within the element 21 and has an end projecting from an end of the element. A plurality of longitudinally spaced weights 34 are moulded on the shaft 32. The weights 34 are dynamically eccentric, that is, they have their greatest mass or center of gravity spaced from the axis of rotation of the shaft 32. The several weights 34 preferably all have their centers of -gravity in the same rotative positions relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft. The weights 34 may be of any suitable construction and may be mounted or attached to the shaft 21 in any desirable manner. In the particular construction illustrated in'the drawings, the weights 34 have openings 35 passing the shaft.32 and are attached to the shaft by pins 36. It will be apparent that when the shaft 32 is rotated at a high speed, the weights 34 cause the continuous vibration of the shaft 32 and the tube 21'carrying the shaft. This vibration of the tube 21 is of course transmitted to the adjacent surrounding concrete. In practice, it is desirable to rotate the shaft 32 at about ve thousand or six thousand revolu-` tions per minute to cause the rapid vibration of the element 21. The continuous rapid vibration of the element '21 extending throughout the entire width of the hopper II` causes the vibration of the material in the hopper and the vibration of the portion of the material in the form F below the hopper that is discharging from or that has just been discharged from the hopper.

The power means I3 is provided to rotate the shaft 32 to bring about the vibration of the vibratory element 21. The type of power means employed may be varied considerably, depending upon the various conditions and factors of the operation of the apparatus. For the purpose of illustration, I have illustrated an engine or motor 3 1 mounted on the chassis IU. The power unit 31 is spaced behind the hopper II relative to the v direction of advancement of thel apparatus along the form F.- A pulley and belt drive 38 is provided between the power unit or .engine 31 and a pulley 39 mounted on a shaft 40 positioned in axial alignment with the shaft 32 at one side of the chassis III. The shaft 40 may be carried by a suitable bracket 4| attached to a frame member I4. A flexible driving or operative connectionthe opposing ends of. the shafts'32 and 40. It

will be apparent how the spring 42 effectively connects the shaft 32 with the shaft 40 for `rotation and yet allows the free vibration of the shaft 32.

It is believed that the operation of the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. l, 2 'and 3 of the drawings will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description. During operation the apparatus is advanced along the form F in the direction indicatedv by the arrow in Fig. l, by any usual or suitable means and material is delivered or supplied to the hop er II to maintain a sufiicient mass of material in the hopper to cover the vibratory element 21.` The shaft 32is continuously rotated in the manner described above to provide for the continuous rapid vibration of the element 21. The material 'or concrete of course, flows or discharges from the open lower end of the hopper II into the form F, and a sufficient supply of material is maintained in the hopper to provide for the spreading of the material throughout the entire width of the form. The continuously vibrated element 21 passes through the material or concrete in the immediate vicinity of the strike lolf edge 25 of the hopper l I so that the ladvancing edge 25 effectively levels or strikes olf the strip of concrete ush lwith the surface 4of the form F. As the material or concrete being acted upon or engaged by the strike oi edge 25 is continuously vibrated,

rocks or coarse material in the concrete are not dragged along in front of the strikev off edge 25. Due to this feature of operation of the apparatus, concrete having a high percentage of coarse material and concrete having a low water content and a low sand content may be used without danger of impairing, the surface of the nished concrete. When the vibrating element 21 extends concrete as the pouring operation continues.

Further, the vibrating element 21, in extending from one end of the hopper Il to the other, materially aids in distributing or spreading the inflowing concrete across the entire width of the form F. It is to be noted that the apparatus is particularly efficient in operation and does not necessitate `the insertion of mechanical parts into the form during the pouring of the concrete.

The form of the apparatus illustrated in Fig.

4 of the drawings includes two spaced vibrating elements 21a extending through the lower portion of a hopper lla.' The hopper Il and the various other parts of the apparatus may be similar to or identical with the corresponding parts of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings. The vibrating elements 2'!a may be in the nature of .tubes which extend transversely or horizontally through the lower end portion of the hopper Il, The vibrating elements 2la are spaced one in advance of the other and may be supported for free relative vibration in the same manner as the element 21 described above. Rotating shafts 32 extend longitudinally through the vibrating elements 2l and carry eccentric weights 34a for causing the vibration of the shafts and elements 21a. The shafts 32B may be rotated in any practical or desirable manner to provide for the continuous vibration of the elements 21a. The apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings operates in substantially the same manner as the previously described apparatus, the disclosure in Fig. 4 of the drawings being provided to illustrate a typical application of the invention involving more than one vibrat.

ing element.

The apparatus illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 ofin the vicinity of the strike off edge of the templet 50.

The forming templet 50 is adapted to be advanced along a' form, for example, along the header boards 53 of a road form A to spread the concrete C across the form and to strike oi the material. The forming templet 50 may be of usual or simple construction, that is, it may consist of a vertically disposed board or plate 54| adapted to extend across the form A from one header board 53 to the other. The forward or advancing face of the templet 50 is preferably normal to the plane of the upper surface'of the form. The material or concrete is introduced into the form A in front of the templet 50 in 'sufficient volume to pile up to a substantial extent in front of the templet somewhat in the ,manner illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings, and to spread throughout the entire width of the form. The forwardv lower edge of the forming templet 50 constitutes a strike off edge 55 for striking off the concrete.

The finishing templet 5l projects rearwardly from the lower end of the templet`50 to trail or follow up the strike olf edge in its action on the concrete in the form. In'the particular apparatus illustrated the finishing templet 5l is a horizontal member suitably attached to the forming templet 54 and has a flat horizontal lower face to slidably engage the form and the surface of the concrete in the form. In accordance with the preferred construction, the finishing templet 5| extends completely across the form A from one side to'the other and is of sufficient width to prevent the concrete from rising or bulging above the intended or desired surface due to the vibratory action to which it is subjected bythe means 52.

The means 52 is provided to vibrate the concrete in the immediate vicinity of the strike off edge of the forming templet to insure the easy eilicient operation of the forming templet and to effectively compact the concrete moving into the form. The means 52 includes a'vibrating member or element spaced in front o f the formtached to the forming templet 50.

form A from one end of the templet to the other.

In accordance with the invention, the vibrating element 60 is mounted or supported for free -vibratory motion. Resilient or flexible members Bl are provided to support the opposite ends of the element 60. In the form of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings, the resilient members 6l are in the nature of helical or spiral springs, each having one end connected to the element 52 and one end at- It will be apparent how the springs 6l support the element 52 for free vibration in all directions lateral of its longitudinal axis.

The invention includes means for continuous'- ly vibrating the element 60 at a rapid rate to bring about the intimate cohesion of the constituents of the material or concrete. A rotatable shaft 62 extends longitudinally through the vibrating element 52 and carries a plurality of longitudinally spaced dynamically eccentric weights 63. The several weights 63 are preferably all in the same rotative position. When the shaft 62 is rotated at a high speed, the inertia or momentum of the eccentric weights 63 causes the rapid vibration of the shaft 62. The shaft 62 is rotatably supported in the element 52 by suitable bearings 64 located in the end -portions of the element.

A suitable driving connection may be provided to drive or rotate the shaft 62 by any suitable type of power means. A bracket 65 projects from an end vof the forming templet 50 and carries the rotating shaft 66 of a pulley 6l. A belt 68 may operatively connect the pulley 61 with the driving pulley of the power unit. A coiled or helical spring 89 extends between and connects the opposing ends of the shafts 62 and 66. It will be apparent how the spring 69 is adapted to transmit rotation from the shaft 66 to the shaft 62 and yet permit the free vibration of Y the shaft 62 with respect-to the pulley shaft.

' the form and to level the concrte to the upper surface of the form. The tube or element 60 is continuously and rapidly vibrated in the manner described above and its vibration is transmitted to the concrete in the immediate vicinity of the strike oi edge 55. There is preferably a sufficient mass of concrete in front of the templet 50 and above the form A to cover the vibrating element 60. The springs 6| supporting the vibrating element 60 allow for the free rapid vibration of the element B0 without transmitting excessive vibratory motion to the templet 5U. The material or concrete in front of the templet 50 that has-not yet reached the form A and the concrete in the form below the templet lillv is continuously agitated or vibrated by the element 60 as the pouring operation progresses or continues so as to bring about the complete compacting of the concrete, or the intimate cohesion of the constituents of the concrete throughout the entire form. The vibration of the material or concrete in the immediate vicinity of the advancing strike off edge 55 allows the apparatus to be advanced witha minimum effort or by a minimum amount of power, and provides for the production of a smooth regular surface when concrete of a very low water low sand content is used.

Figures 'l and 8 illustrate an embodiment of the invention in which the vibrator is located below the bottom of the hopper and at a level Somewhat below the tops of the forms on which the distributing device runs.

In this embodiment there are two hoppers 10 supported by longitudinally extending horizontal frame members 1|. The hoppers are spaced apart to provide a space 12 in which the drive indicated generally by the reference numeral 13 for the vibrator' 14 is located. The frame members 1| which support the hoppers are carried by wheels 15 which run on the rails or forms 16.

'Ihe axles 'l1 of the wheels are supported in bear-` ing blocks 18 secured to the outer frame mem-- bers 1|. l

A countershaft located adjacent the tops of the hoppers and to the rear thereof so as to be outside of the hoppers, is mounted in bearings 8| supported by the frame members 1|.- The bearings 8| are provided with springs 82 so that .the vibration of the countershaft 80 as hereinafter described does not cause vibration of the hoppers 10.

Pivoted at each end of the countershaft 80 is a hanger rod 83 having its lower end 84 extending to a point below the tops 85 of the forms 16. The two hanger rods 83 support the vibrator 14 which is of a construction generally similar to that described in connection with the other embodiments. The vibrator 14 comprises an outer tubular element 86 within which ismountevd a shaft 81 having two eccentrically mounted weights 88. The shaft 81 is provided intermediate its ends with a pulley 89 which is operated by a belt 90 which passes around a pulley 9| secured to the countershaft 80. The countershaft is provided with a driving pulley 92 which may be driven from any suitable source in a manner similar to that indicated in Figure 1. The pulley 89 on'the vibrator, the pulley 9|' on the countershaft, and the belt 90 are enclosed within a housing 93 so as to protect the pulley 89 and the belt from the concrete or other material which is being handled. A finishing templet 94l extends across the machine at the rear of the hoppers 10. The ends of the hoppers 10 are notched as indicated by thereference numeral 95 for receiving the vibrator 14` when in its raised position indicated by chain'lines in Figure 7. The notches 95 are covered by plates 96 secured to and movable with the vibrator. The mounting of the vibrator on the hanger arms 83 enables it to be raised to pass any obstructions which may be encountered.

In the operation oi.' the device illustrated in Figures I and 8, the countershaft 80 is rotated and thus the shaft 91 of the vibrator is also rotateddue to the belt and pulley connections between the countershaft and shaft 81. Vibration of the vibrator 14 is prevented from being transmitted to the hoppers 10 because of the spring mountings 82 which carry the countershaft 8|). Thus, the vibrator is free to vibrate relative to the hoppers.

The method of handling concrete, and other granular materials, provided by the present invention and as carried out by -the apparatus of the invention includes, generally, the-moving or f introduction of concrete or material into the form content and at orin the presence of an advancing strike oi! edge, and the continued vibration oi' the zone or portion of concrete or material-at the strike off edge.

In carrying out the method of the invention, the concrete is preferably introduced into the form in a manner so that there is a considerable volume of concrete in the hopper or in front of the templet, that has not reached or entered the form. A suitable volume of concrete is preferably maintained in the hopper or in front of the templet'as the pouring and/or forming apparatus advances along the form. As carried out in the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 o f the drawings, the material in the hopper or in front of the advancing forming templet is directly acted upon or vibrated by a vibrating element while in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. 'l of the drawings, the material or concrete in the form below the hopper is directly acted'upon by a vibrating element, it being understood that the zone or area of active in terial in the form below the hopper or templet and at the strike oif edge of the advancing hopper or templet. This vibration of the concrete or material being introduced into the form, in addition to effectively compacting the concrete, insures the provision of a smooth regular surface by the action of the s trike-oi edge. Due to this feature or phase of the method, the method may be effectively carried out where coarse concrete of low water content and low sand content is used. The vibrationof the concrete at the strike of! edge or being engaged by the strike o edge overcomes any tendency of dry concrete or large coarse material in the concrete to move or drag along with the strike oil plate of the hopper or templet. In carrying out the invention, the vibration of the concrete is preferably universal throughout the entire length of the hopper or forming templet to bring about the uniform compacting of the concrete and to materially-aid in properly distributing or spreading the concrete throughout the width of the form. It is to be noted that the method of handling concrete and other granular materials provided by the present invention greatly facilitates the pouring of concrete and the like and insures its proper unimay appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for handling concrete and like material including, a hopper adapted to be operated along a form to pass material into the form, an element movable along the form with the hopper and extending through the material flowing from the hopper, means carrying the element for free vibration relative to the hopper,

and means for vibrating the element to vibrate material in the hopper and the material in the form adjacent the discharge of the hopper.

2. Apparatus for handling concrete and like material including, a hopper `adapted to be operated along a form to pass-material into the form, -an element extending between opposite Walls of the hopper to pass through the material passing from the hopper, means carrying' the element for free vibration relative to the hopper, and means for vibrating the element to vibrate the material throughout the extent of the hopper outlet.

3. Apparatus for handling granular'material including, a forming device to be operated along a form, an element passing through the material at said device and supported therefrom, and means for freely vibrating said element relative to said forming device.

4. Apparatus for handling granular material including, a forming device to be operated along a form, an element connected.. with the device and passing through material entering the form at the device, and means for continuously freely vibrating the element relative to the device. 1

5. Apparatus for handling granular material including, a forming device to be operated along a form, an element for passing through the material entering the form at the device, resilient means connecting the element with the device for free vibration relative to the device, and means for vibrating the element.

6. Apparatus for handling concrete and like material including, a forming device to be operated along a form, an element for passing through the material entering the form at the device, resilient means connecting the element with the device for free vibration relative to the device, and means for vibrating the element,. said element being tubular, the last mentioned means including a shaft extending into the element and supported in the element for rotation, eccentric weights on the shaft, and means for rotating the shaft.

7. Apparatus for handling concrete and like material including, a forming device to be operated along aform, an element for passing through the material entering the form at the device, resilient means connecting the element with the device for free vibration relative to the device, and means for vibrating the element, said element being tubular, the last mentioned means including a shaft extending into the element and supported in the element for rotation, eccentric weights on the shaft, a driven shaft carried by the device and flexible driving connection between the shafts.

8. Apparatus for handling granular material, comprising a distributing device movable along a form, and a vibrator movable with the distributing device and located in the path of the material delivered from the distributing device to the form, the vibrator being mounted for free vibration relative to the distributing device.

9. Apparatus for' handling granular material, comprisingy a distributing device movable along a form, and a vibrator movable with the distributting device and located in the path of the material delivered from the distributing device to the form so that the material passes on all sides of the vibrator, the vibrator being mounted for free vibration relative to the distributing device.

10. Apparatus for handling granular material, comprising a distributing device movable along a form, a vibrator. movable with the distributing device and located in the path of the material delivered from the distributing device to the form, the vibrator being mounted for free vibration relative to the distributing device, said vibrator being tubular and including a shaft supported therein for rotation, an eccentric on the shaft, and means for rotating the shaft.

11. Apparatus for handling granular material, comprising a .distributing device movable along a form, and a vibrator movable with the distributing device and located in the path of the material delivered from thedistributing device to extending transverse tothe direction of movement of the distributing device and movable therewith and mounted for free vibration relative thereto, a shaft and eccentric within the vibrator, and means for rotating the shaft.

13. Apparatus for handling granular material, comprising a distributing device movable along a form, a substantially horizontal tubular vibrator extending transverse to the direction of movement of the distributing device and movable therewith and mounted for free vibration relative thereto, the vibrator being located in the path of the material delivered from the distributing device tothe form and close to the top level of the form.

14. Apparatus for spreading and. compacting paving materials, including a screed member movable longitudinally of the pavement strip under construction and maintained at proper grade with respect to side forms for the pavement, in combination with a horizontally extending rigid cylindrical member in advance of said screed and movable therewith, said cylindrical member being embedded in the paving material in process of being'spread forward and compacted, said member also containing internal mechanism by means of which its outer surface is given oscillatory or vibratory motion as a whole, thus acting in a substantially uniform manner upon the concrete 'throughout the length of said Acylindrical member, to spread and to compact same in a uniform manner,` as the member and screed are moved forward.

CHARLES E. LITTLE. 

